iPhone Sizes Change Next Year: What to Know

[MacRumors]

This year, Apple tweaked iPhone 16 Pro screen sizes to make them bigger than 2023's iPhone 15 Pro models, and next year we are also expecting a change in the size of the displays in the iPhone 17 lineup. Here's what we know.

Standard iPhone 17

Apple could introduce a new display size for the standard iPhone 17 model in 2025. The iPhone 17 could measure in at 6.3 inches, up from 6.1 inches, which would make it the same size as the current iPhone 16 Pro. At 6.3 inches, it would be in between the size of the 6.1-inch iPhone 15 and the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Plus. However, next year there may be only one non-Pro model in Apple's lineup (see below).

iPhone 17 Plus – iPhone 17 Air

Rumors suggest that Apple plans to eliminate the Plus model in 2025 due to subpar sales and replace it with a slimmed down iPhone 17 that could come with an "iPhone Air" moniker. While the iPhone 16 Plus has a 6.7-inch display, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to fall somewhere between the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max in size. Separate rumors have targeted 6.55 inches, 6.6 inches, and 6.65 inches as the display size that Apple has settled on, which would make it smaller than the iPhone 17 Pro Max, but larger than the 17 Pro.

iPhone 17 Pro & Pro Max

Apple is currently not expected to change the size of its Pro models next year, having already tweaked them this year in the iPhone 16 series. That means the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max should measure roughly 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches, respectively. However, according to The Information, the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will have "significant design changes" that go beyond display size. These changes are said to include the use of aluminum for the frame instead of titanium, a half-aluminum, half-glass backing rather than an all-glass back, and a rectangular camera bump.

iPhone 16 Models (2024)	iPhone 17 Models (2025)
iPhone 16: 6.1 inches	iPhone 17: 6.3 inches
iPhone 16 Plus: 6.7 inches	iPhone 17 Air: 6.5-6.6 inches
iPhone 16 Pro: 6.3 inches	iPhone 17 Pro: 6.3 inches
iPhone 16 Pro Max: 6.9 inches	iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.9 inches

New Display Technology

120Hz ProMotion Across the Lineup
Apple intends to expand ProMotion to all iPhone models in 2025, allowing all models to ramp up to a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and video content when necessary. Previously, only "Pro" models in Apple's iPhone lineup have had the feature. Notably, ProMotion would also enable the display on the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 "Air" to ramp down to a more power-efficient refresh rate as low as 1Hz, allowing for an always-on display that can show the Lock Screen's clock, widgets, notifications, and wallpaper even when the device is locked.

More Power-Efficient Screens
A recent unconfirmed rumor suggests that Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 Pro models may feature a new display technology known as Low-Dielectric TEE (Transmission Electrically Enhanced). The term likely refers to the use of materials with a low dielectric constant in the display's thin-film encapsulation (TFE). While it's not yet clear what this specific innovation offers, incorporating low-dielectric materials can in general reduce signal interference and energy loss, leading to more efficient power usage and potentially longer battery life.

Scratch Resistant Anti-Reflective Display
The iPhone 17 will feature an anti-reflective display that is more scratch-resistant than Apple's Ceramic Shield found on iPhone 15 models, according to one rumor. The outer glass on the iPhone 17 is said to have a "super-hard anti-reflective layer" that is "more scratch-resistant." It's not clear whether Apple is planning to adopt the Gorilla Glass Armor that Samsung uses in its Galaxy S24 Ultra, but the description of Corning's latest technology matches the rumor. That said, it's worth keeping in mind that the new iPhone 16 Pro models have the latest-generation Ceramic Shield, which has an advanced formulation that is 2x tougher than glass on any other smartphone, according to Apple.

Smaller Dynamic Island
Apple's iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature a significantly narrower Dynamic Island, thanks to the device's adoption of a smaller "metalens" for the Face ID system, claims Haitong's Jeff Pu. While a traditional iPhone camera has curved lenses that redirect light towards the image sensor, a metalens is a thin and flat lens with microscopic patterns etched onto it that can focus light more precisely. Assuming this results in a narrowed Dynamic Island, it would be the first time that Apple has changed the feature since it debuted on the iPhone 14 Pro in 2022.

iPhone Models Past: Notable Size Changes
... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: iPhone Sizes Change Next Year: What to Know

 

[leandromp]

innovation! groundbreaking!

 

[Skimac]

Making the screen bigger with out split screen is crazy

 

[Eddy Munn]

iPhone 11 Pro Max (2019): The iPhone 11 Pro Max was the first "Max" model Apple released, featuring a 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR display, making it larger than any previous iPhone model.

Did you forget about the iPhone XS Max?

 

[jpotisch2]

Looks like it will be another year of taking very good care of my beloved iPhone 13 mini.

 

[Macomatic]

For me, bigger is not better. Please Apple, at least keep the next iPhone SE the same size as the present one (4.7-inch screen) so we can still buy a smaller phone from you.

 

[Expos of 1969]

Apple does what it chooses to do and it seems to please millions but if these size predictions are correct, I will either move to a Pixel 9 or invoke some spirits to enable my SE 2022 to last forever. The SE 4 could be an option but I may choose not to reward Apple with my money.

 

[jforsander]

The first Max model was in 2018 with the iPhone XS Max.

 

[Qu1ckset]

I hate how they are making phones bigger and bigger , part of the reason I bought the 15pro on discount to replace my 12 mini as they keep increasing the sizes of these phones

 

[CharlesShaw]

Looks like it will be another year of taking very good care of my beloved iPhone 13 mini.

Same. And another year of living without the temptation to buy a new iPhone just because they made one.

 

[winxmac]

MacRumors seems to be slowly becoming Neowin... [tag line: where unprofessional journalism looks better]

Posting articles without proofreading or verifying information first...

 

[humblecoder]

Please no. Does anyone choosing a Pro over a Max actually **want** a bigger screen?

 

[Qu1ckset]

Please no. Does anyone choosing a Pro over a Max actually **want** a bigger screen?

So much this….

 

[sw1tcher]

However, next year there may be only one non-Pro model in Apple's lineup (see below).

iPhone 17 Models (2025)
iPhone 17: 6.3 inches
iPhone 17 Air: 6.5-6.6 inches
iPhone 17 Pro: 6.3 inches
iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.9 inches

I count two non-Pro models: iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air

If you include iPhone SE 4, that would be three non-Pro model in Apple's lineup

Rumors suggest that Apple plans to eliminate the Plus model in 2025 due to subpar sales and replace it with a slimmed down iPhone 17 that could come with an "iPhone Air" moniker.

Does Apple really think the reason why more people weren't buying the iPhone 15 Plus is because the screen size was too small, it was too thick, and it had too many camera lenses and their solution is the iPhone 17 Air?

 

[dz5b609]

Rumors still make no sense at all for me.

 

[Aoligei]

Looks like it will be another year of taking very good care of my beloved iPhone 13 mini.

When can mini user realize that they will never get mini phone again?

 

[Soonerpet]

So tired of the constant yearly size increases. Who’s asking for bigger and bigger phones at this point? Just get an iPad if you want a huge screen. For the love of god give me a small screen iphone again. I don’t need a huge slab in my pocket.

 

[jonnysods]

Looks like it will be another year of taking very good care of my beloved iPhone 13 mini.

I miss my Mini! The 15 Pro was as close to a compromise as I could get as I needed slightly better battery and the macro lens for my job. It's a light enough phone, but the Mini is a classic.

 

[tonmischa]

Bring back the Mini.

 

[sw1tcher]

For me, bigger is not better. Please Apple, at least keep the next iPhone SE the same size as the present one (4.7-inch screen) so we can still buy a smaller phone from you.

This may be the first time I've seen someone actually want a smaller sized screen even if the overall size of the iPhone is the same as (or slightly bigger than) the iPhone SE.

The iPhone X would be a good size for me. A 5.85-inch screen with an overall body size that's infinitesimally bigger than the iPhone SE's

 

[mrr]

How about support for the Apple Pencil?

 

[minimo3]

“Rumors suggest that Apple plans to eliminate the Plus model in 2025 due to subpar sales and replace it with a slimmed down iPhone 17 that could come with an "iPhone Air" moniker.”

Obviously no one wants the tiny mini and they want giant plus sized phones /s

 

[eatrains]

Nothing but phablets. Remember when Apple used to make mobile devices?

 

[azentropy]

This may be the first time I've seen someone actually want a smaller sized screen even if the overall size of the iPhone is the same as (or slightly bigger than) the iPhone SE.

The iPhone X would be a good size for me. A 5.85-inch screen with an overall body size that's infinitesimally bigger than the iPhone SE's

View attachment 2465136

I originally got the X but returned it. Figured one day that would take that screen and put it into a smaller AND lighter body (reduce bezels sizes etc.) but never did. Just keep getting bigger and bigger.

 

[CharlesShaw]

Bring back the Mini.

But I've already reallocated the money I'm saving due the lack of a desirable upgrade.